Maintenance & Repair
of Your Refrigerator

The days of our Grandmother's icebox are gone, replaced
by the modern, much more efficient refrigerator. Today,
refrigerators are engineered to keep food fresh for much
longer.

However, the average person does not give much
thought onto how these modern-day "iceboxes"
keep our foods preserved. For instance, refrigerators
do not cool food, they extract heat from around the food
so that the inside is maintained at a safe temperature.
The process is simple: a gas known as a "refrigerant"
moves from an area of high pressure to an area of low
pressure though a system of tubing located at the back
of the refrigerator. The gas then passes through an expansion
valve located inside the freezer, causing the gas pressure
and temperature to drop. A fan located in your refrigerator's
freezer circulates frigid air over the tubing system containing
the refrigerant. The cold refrigerant then absorbs any
heat from the area inside the refrigerator and pumps it
out.

Contrary to popular belief, you will feel warm air
near the back of the refrigerator rather than cold air.
If the temperature escalates beyond a certain level, the
compressor is activated by the thermostat. Also, a circuit
is closed when the refrigerator door is open, which turns
the light inside on.

If
your refrigerator has a problem, there are many ways to
troubleshoot the issue. Here are a few common problems
that may be easily resolved with the following list:

*
If the refrigerator will not activate and the light does
not turn on upon opening the door:

Ensure
that the refrigerator is not unplugged, or tighten plug.

Ensure
that a fuse or breaker has not been broken.

Ensure
that the circuit is not blown.

Check
all electrical cords for damage, including extension
cords.

Ensure
thermostat is working correctly.

*
If the light comes on and the refrigerator is not working:

Ensure
that the thermostat is working correctly.

Ensure
that a three-inch space between the wall and the refrigerator
is maintained for proper ventilation.

Ensure
that the condenser coils are clean.

Unplug
refrigerator for one or two hours. The compressor may
be overheated.